$29.1 Billion State Budget Awaits Governor’s Signature
The state House and Senate this week approved a $29.1 billion state budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year that keeps spending in check and includes no new or increased taxes. The plan includes more state funding for public education than ever before at $10.5 billion. Special education funding gets a $20 million increase, the first such increase in six years. Also included is $200 million in funding for the Ready to Learn Block Grant Program, which gives school districts more flexibility to invest the money where they see the greatest need. Higher education funding is mostly level with the current year’s budget. House Bill 2328 is on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

Thousands Benefit from Student Aid in the 139th District
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) works to make higher education more affordable and accessible to the Commonwealth’s college students. As a member of the PHEAA board of directors, Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne) recently outlined how the agency is supporting students in the 139th legislative district: 975 students are sharing nearly $2.9 million in Pennsylvania State Grants; 21 students are sharing nearly $45,000 in financial assistance from the Distance Education Pilot Program and the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program; 1,726 are sharing $35.7 million in FedLoan Servicing; 2,056 students are sharing $32 million in student loan servicing through American Education Services (AES); and two students are sharing $10,000 in Teach Grants. For more information about PHEAA programs, visit www.pheaa.org.

Fish for Free on Independence Day
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will host its second Fish for Free Day on Independence Day, July 4. On this day, anyone (resident or non-resident) may legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways without a fishing license. All other fishing regulations will still apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors. For more information, visit www.fish.state.pa.us.

Milford Township Office Hours Change
To make state services more accessible to residents in the Milford Township area, Rep. Mike Peifer hosts outreach office hours twice a month at the Milford Township Building, 560 Routes 6 and 209, Milford. The schedule for these office hours has recently changed, and a member of his staff will now be at the township building on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. As a service to veterans, Peifer also hosts the American Legion Service Officer Outreach program at his Honesdale office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the office at 570-253-5533.